I'm relying on you for some advice. I'm a senior in college and have gotten this far with only using student loans and a car loan for debt. I've paid off my car, pay rent at the current place I live, and have the cable bill in my name. I'm getting an accounting internship for tax season and don't have the upfront funds I need right now. I want some money to purchase professional clothes as well as shop for xmas. My wages at the internship will allow me to pay any debt I rack up within a year (I'll be making about twice as much as I do know, and I'm hardly financially pressed).

I'm assuming I'll want something zero interest for 12 months or whatever and then use it to build credit going forward. My question for you is :

How should I got about choosing a card? Through my bank (PNC)? Online?

Will I be approved for the card or will a need a co-signer or something? (potentially tough question, but I don't have any sketchy credit history)

And just to spark conversation, how do you use your credit card? Short term debt? Made some mistakes with them early and are still screwed by credit cards? Other?_________________

Are you implying an internet discussion board lacks knowledge? If I peruse through a few responses I'm hoping I can get what I'm looking for. There's lots of wisdom on this board, is this the best you can offer? Haha_________________

Are you implying an internet discussion board lacks knowledge? If I peruse through a few responses I'm hoping I can get what I'm looking for. There's lots of wisdom on this board, is this the best you can offer? Haha

There should be plenty of good advice given. It'll be up to you to weed out the good advice from the bad. _________________

you mention you need credit to buy professional work clothing and Christmas presents. have you considered getting a credit card from a major retail department store?

often they give you 10% off your first purchase when you sign up, which is even 10% off sale prices. if you scope the store's merchandise in advance and buy a lot of items you need in the initial transaction, that will add up to a lot of savings.

you can thank me later. (also a wry and dry bit of humor there...)_________________

you mention you need credit to buy professional work clothing and Christmas presents. have you considered getting a credit card from a major retail department store?

often they give you 10% off your first purchase, which is even 10% off sale prices. if you scope the store's merchandise in advance and buy a lot of items you need in the initial transaction, that will add up to a lot of savings.

you can thank me later. (also a wry and dry bit of humor there...)

WE DON'T GET YOUR JOKES, GRANDPA!

But yeah, getting a credit card from a store isn't too bad of an idea. I had a best buy card to buy my dad a TV, and I don't regret it._________________

Are you implying an internet discussion board lacks knowledge? If I peruse through a few responses I'm hoping I can get what I'm looking for. There's lots of wisdom on this board, is this the best you can offer? Haha

There should be plenty of good advice given. It'll be up to you to weed out the good advice from the bad.

By 3 more new cars. Get your own house. Oh, and get all gold clothing. Also, buy like 10 of those 90 inch TV's. And a hot tub. Then you'll be set. Is that good advice? Too good?_________________
"Strength is meaningless in o-line play if there is no explosive, or speed-strength, quality to the strength."
- LeCharles Bentley

I would never use a credit card to buy something when i didn't have the money to pay it off. Even if i was 98% certain i would have the money to pay it off in 6 months, it's a bad idea. In that 2% scenario where you don't get the job, or something else bad happens, you're going to be stuck in debt up to your eyeballs.

Better idea is to talk to Mom and Dad, or Grandma, or your roommate, or whoever you can scrounge up some bucks from. Then you buy only what is absolutely necessary until you start making money.

And i wouldn't buy these clothes at full retail. Buy them at consignment sales or somewhere you can find them cheap. You don't have the money! Don't spend it!

BTW: i thought you were a chemical engineering student? Change majors?_________________

I would never use a credit card to buy something when i didn't have the money to pay it off. Even if i was 98% certain i would have the money to pay it off in 6 months, it's a bad idea. In that 2% scenario where you don't get the job, or something else bad happens, you're going to be stuck in debt up to your eyeballs.

Better idea is to talk to Mom and Dad, or Grandma, or your roommate, or whoever you can scrounge up some bucks from. Then you buy only what is absolutely necessary until you start making money.

And i wouldn't buy these clothes at full retail. Buy them at consignment sales or somewhere you can find them cheap. You don't have the money! Don't spend it!

BTW: i thought you were a chemical engineering student? Change majors?

I have an official offer with spelled out hours and wages. Even if I somehow blew this job, I could easily start working 40 hours rather than 30 at my current job and pay the money. It's an extremely short-term loan in my eyes. I'm pretty solid with money, I know that's hard to just say to someone on an internet board and have them believe.

And I was pharmacy major my first semester until december '09. I've been in accounting since the second half of my freshman year and love it. You're a UT student or former student correct?_________________

I would never use a credit card to buy something when i didn't have the money to pay it off. Even if i was 98% certain i would have the money to pay it off in 6 months, it's a bad idea. In that 2% scenario where you don't get the job, or something else bad happens, you're going to be stuck in debt up to your eyeballs.

Better idea is to talk to Mom and Dad, or Grandma, or your roommate, or whoever you can scrounge up some bucks from. Then you buy only what is absolutely necessary until you start making money.

And i wouldn't buy these clothes at full retail. Buy them at consignment sales or somewhere you can find them cheap. You don't have the money! Don't spend it!

BTW: i thought you were a chemical engineering student? Change majors?

I have an official offer with spelled out hours and wages. Even if I somehow blew this job, I could easily start working 40 hours rather than 30 at my current job and pay the money. It's an extremely short-term loan in my eyes. I'm pretty solid with money, I know that's hard to just say to someone on an internet board and have them believe.

And I was pharmacy major my first semester until december '09. I've been in accounting since the second half of my freshman year and love it. You're a UT student or former student correct?

Irrelevant.

Secret to saving is earning. If you can't pay for something now, do not buy it. Only time you should consider other wise is for housing. If you need a vehicle the only time you consider breaking this is if the vehicle is very cheap and reliable.

Sorry it isn't what you want to hear._________________[quote="Mark Twain"]Sanity and happiness are an impossible combination.[/quote]
QBvsDefensiveQuality